WORCESTER, Mass. – The Clark University men's basketball team (0-1) opened its season with a trip north to face Saint Joseph's College of Maine (1-0). The Monks used a strong start to the second half to pull away, ultimately earning a 94-78 victory in a high-scoring affair.
How it Happened
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Sophomore David Fridia opened the scoring with a layup, while first-year Jaryn Aguiar drilled a three-pointer for his first collegiate basket to make it a 6-2 game early.
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Junior Malik Matanmi added a layup, followed by a basket from first-year Nidas Paulauskas to tie the game at 10-10.
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Sophomores Trace Clark and Elijah Small added baskets inside to keep the deficit at one before a Paulauskas three-pointer put the Cougars back in front. After a Monk basket, Fridia and Aguiar connected on layups to tie the game at 21.
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A seven-point run put Saint Joseph's in front. Paulauskas answered with a pair of layups before a dunk by Small cut the deficit to nine with 6:37 remaining in the half.
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Trailing by 12, Clark responded with an 11-0 run fueled by five quick points from senior Emmett Hendry, who connected on a layup and a three-pointer.
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An Aguiar triple tied the game at 41, but the Monks closed the half with a 9-0 run to take a 50-41 lead into the break.
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Paulauskas and Small combined to score Clark's first nine points of the second half, keeping the Cougars within striking distance.
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However, a 12-point run by Saint Joseph's put the Monks in firm control, extending their lead to 23 points with 11:06 remaining.
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A Paulauskas layup followed by a quick three-pointer cut the deficit to 20, but an 8-0 run by the Monks gave them their largest lead of the afternoon.
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First-year Bryston Joyce, junior Willie Jennings IV, and junior Ethan Haynes added late baskets as the Cougars cut into the deficit but couldn't complete the comeback, falling 94-78.
Inside the Box Score
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The Cougars made 31 field goals while shooting 50% from the field and connected on eight three-pointers. They grabbed 39 rebounds, dished out 15 assists, and recorded six steals and four blocks.
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Paulauskas led the way in his Clark debut with 19 points, including three three-pointers on four attempts.
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Aguiar scored 12 points to go along with four rebounds in his collegiate debut.
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Small also finished with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting, adding eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
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Matanmi had eight points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field, along with two blocks and a steal.
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Fridia finished with seven points and seven rebounds while adding a pair of assists.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White conclude their trip to Maine with a 2:00 p.m. game tomorrow at Husson.
